title: Anterior urethral valves: an uncommon cause of obstructive uropathy in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Anterior urethral valves (AUV) are rare entities generally described in case reports. They are an uncommon cause of lower urinary tract obstruction in children and can be difficult to diagnose. In the present study, we present our experience in four children with AUV along with a literature review.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively identified four children with AUV presented between 1998 and 2005 at age 4-9 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hematuria, urinary tract infection and weak voiding stream were the most common symptoms. Voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) confirmed the diagnosis of AUV. On cystourethroscopy, cusp-like valves in the anterior urethra were seen in all children. Transurethral endoscopic resection of the valves was carried out in three children using a pediatric resectoscope. In one child with a massive anterior urethral diverticulum, open resection of the valve, diverticulectomy and urethroplasty were performed. All patients were cured, none had complications as a result of surgery, and all reported a normal urinary stream at follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Children with poor stream and recurrent infections should be evaluated carefully and anterior urethral valves should be considered in differential diagnosis of obstructive lesions.
authors.affiliation: Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Department of Urology, 06018 Etlik, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Yusuf
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kibar
authors.forename: Hidayet
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Coban
authors.forename: H Cem
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Irkilata
authors.forename: Fikret
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Erdemir
authors.forename: Bedrettin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Seckin
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dayanc